Shuffle
Spent today with my mom, moving my dad from Fairfax to Mt. Vernon in-patient.
His insurance only approved 5 days of rehab. He has a roommate, a 40-yr-old. Something brain or skull related, because he's got stitches running all the way around his skull and up the side. It looks like maybe his head busted open. His mother spoke pretty fluent English. She took leave of the rest of the family to make our acquaintance and talk with us. She seemed like a very strong woman, and kind hearted. I talked with the other woman, who said her husband was still in Afghanistan. So I was unclear of her relation to the patient. They were a warm family. Having them there helped calm me a little. My parents are difficult people. I think most people can say the same. It could have been worse. All the nurses and doctors we met seemed to be competent and good natured. I hope he doesn't give them too much of a hard time. After the other family left, the nurses got my dad's new roommate into a chair and wheeled him off for some therapy. As he rolled past, I shook his hand and introduced myself, and his voice was clear, his grip was firm. He made eye contact. I take that as a good sign. He didn't seem brain damaged. That's one of the worst things I can imagine. Becoming brain damaged, or being paralyzed and trapped in your body with your mind fully alert.
Filling out the patient enrollment sheets, I was hit by another wave of how sad and empty my dad's life is. One of the questions was, "What are the patient's goals/aspirations?"
It's been four years since his retirement, and I still cannot think of any hobbies to give him a push to become involved in. Ham radio is the only thing he's offered when I asked him the other day what hobbies he thinks he'd enjoy.
What are some good hobbies for older men who aren't internet-savvy?
His insurance only approved 5 days of rehab. He has a roommate, a 40-yr-old. Something brain or skull related, because he's got stitches running all the way around his skull and up the side. It looks like maybe his head busted open. His mother spoke pretty fluent English. She took leave of the rest of the family to make our acquaintance and talk with us. She seemed like a very strong woman, and kind hearted. I talked with the other woman, who said her husband was still in Afghanistan. So I was unclear of her relation to the patient. They were a warm family. Having them there helped calm me a little. My parents are difficult people. I think most people can say the same. It could have been worse. All the nurses and doctors we met seemed to be competent and good natured. I hope he doesn't give them too much of a hard time. After the other family left, the nurses got my dad's new roommate into a chair and wheeled him off for some therapy. As he rolled past, I shook his hand and introduced myself, and his voice was clear, his grip was firm. He made eye contact. I take that as a good sign. He didn't seem brain damaged. That's one of the worst things I can imagine. Becoming brain damaged, or being paralyzed and trapped in your body with your mind fully alert.
Filling out the patient enrollment sheets, I was hit by another wave of how sad and empty my dad's life is. One of the questions was, "What are the patient's goals/aspirations?"
It's been four years since his retirement, and I still cannot think of any hobbies to give him a push to become involved in. Ham radio is the only thing he's offered when I asked him the other day what hobbies he thinks he'd enjoy.
What are some good hobbies for older men who aren't internet-savvy?